Attributes of Article 24

Data is collected and disaggregated by prohibited grounds for discrimination, including age, sex, ethnicity, disability, when applicable

A right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health

A right to the basic minimum standards of child health

Child health accountability mechanisms

International cooperation for child health in developing countries

Structural

Indicators

as an indication of commitment to take action, refers to the existence of institutions and policies and laws aligned with the international child rights laws and for the realisation of children’s rights

1. Constitutional guarantees are in place to protect the child’s Article 24 rights and the right to health for all children in conditions of equality.

2. A national child health policy is developed and implemented by the national department or ministry of health in consultation and coordination with all relevant stakeholders both in the public and private sector.

3. Health Sciences, nursing and medical faculties exist and are accredited to acceptable standards, or agreements exist with such institutions in neighbouring countries, to train a sufficient cohort of health professionals to meet the health services needs of all children, including clinical and public health services, system design and implementation, and policy formulation.

4. A National Health Plan is developed that will contribute to equitable access to health care for all children, across clinical and public health services, addressing all domains of health, including behavioural and mental health and that takes into consideration:

4.1 Multidisciplinary service integration

4.2 Child participation

4.3 Social determinants of health

4.4 Committing to international standards and cooperation

5. National health law provides for basic minimum standards of child health, in all domains of health, including mental health, consistent with UNCRC Article 24(2).

6. Health quality assurance mechanisms are in place to monitor all child health service delivery across private and public sector service provision, with guarantees of availability, acceptability, accessibility and quality of service for all children.

Process

Indicators

refers generally to efforts made and actions taken, following on from commitment, and thus to specific activities, resources and/or initiatives in pursuit of rights’ realisation

7. A distributed network of hospitals and health clinics exists and are accessible, affordable, and acceptable throughout the country to provide expert primary, secondary and tertiary care (family, parental, maternal, pediatric, child and adolescent) and health services.

8. Percentage of mothers receiving at least four antenatal care visits from skilled health personnel.

9. Percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel.

10. Percentage of school children educated in:

10.1 Physical and mental health

10.2 Reproductive and sexual health (Art 28-Ind 5.6)

10.3 Healthy behaviours and nutrition. (Art 28 & 29) (OHCHR)

11. Percentage of children living in households with access to a safe supply of drinking water.

12. Percentage of children immunized against vaccine preventable diseases.

13. Percentage of infants exclusively breastfed during first six months.

14. Percentage of children who had regular medical check-ups in the reporting period.

15. Percentage of mothers and babies receiving post-natal care within two days of birth.

16. Percentage of complaints to children’s commissioner or Advocate dealing with access to health service.

17. National Health Laws and strategies are supported by adequate budgetary resources to maintain quality service delivery.

18. National Health Laws and strategies are supported by adequate regulatory and policy development to ensure quality service delivery.

19. Mental health facilities are subject to regular inspection and quality improvement audits in accordance with global monitoring standards. (Art 20 & Art 25)

20. Diagnosis and hospitalization rates of adolescents per major mental health condition per 10,000 adolescent population.

21. Percentage of health professionals trained to diagnose and manage mental health conditions.

22. Per capita government expenditure on primary health care and medicines.

23. Density of medical and paramedical personnel, hospital beds, hospitals and other primary health care facilities per 10,000 population.

24. Percentage of children covered by health insurance and/or government sponsored public health (national or local) plans.

25. Percentage of health professionals who have received pre- and/or in-service training in child rights based approaches.

26. Net official development assistance for the promotion of the health sector received or provided as a proportion of public expenditure on health or gross national income.

Outcome

Indicators

refers to a measurable resultant change either in the “rights environment” or directly in lives of children.

27. Rate of pregnant women who experience a live birth with a low birth weight (<5.5 lbs or <2500 grams) per 1,000 live births.

28. Rate of pregnant women who experience a stillbirth per 1,000 births.

29. Suicide and attempted suicide rates for children and adolescents by year, age and marginalized groups per 10,000 children and adolescents. (Art 6)

30. Hospitalization rate for child mental health conditions per 10,000 child population.

31. Life-expectancy at birth or age 1 and health adjusted life expectancy.

32. Under-five child mortality rate (per 1000 live births), with the proportion of newborn deaths.

33. Percentage of underweight children under five years of age.

34. Percentage of overweight children and adolescents, 0 to 18 years of age.

35. Rate of injury for children aged 12-18 years resulting in limitations in daily living per 100,000 relevant child population.

36. Percentage of children with access to a primary care health provider, by professional category.

37. Percentage of children who report their mental health as being very good to excellent.

38. Health inequality gap between advanced and developing economies.